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POPE RECALLS HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE
UNITED STATES
Mass at Yankee Stadium - "...A feast
of faith and of brotherhood..."
VATICAN CITY, 30 APR 2008 (VIS) - In
today's general audience, which was held in St. Peter's Square, the
Pope dedicated his remarks to his recent apostolic trip to the
U.S.A. and the headquarters of the United Nations, from 15 to 21
April.
After recalling how the motive for
his U.S. visit was the bi-centenary of the elevation of the
country's first diocese, Baltimore, to the status of metropolitan
archdiocese, and the foundation of the sees of New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Louisville, the Holy Father affirmed that his aim
had been "to announce to everyone the message that 'Christ is our
Hope', the phrase which was the theme of my visit".
During the meeting with President
George Bush in the White House, said the Pope, "I had the
opportunity to pay homage to that great country, which from its
beginnings was built on the foundation of a harmonious union between
religious, ethical and political principles, and which still
constitutes a valid example of healthy laicism, where the religious
dimension, in the diversity of its expressions, is not only
tolerated but turned to advantage as the 'soul' of the nation and
the fundamental guarantee of the rights and duties of human
beings".
The Holy Father then went on to
explain that he had supported his "brother bishops in their
difficult task of spreading the Gospel in a society marked by no
small number of contradictions, which also threaten the coherence of
Catholics and even of the clergy. I encouraged them to make their
voices heard on the moral and social questions of the day, and to
form the lay faithful so they become good 'leavening' in the civil
community on the base of that fundamental cell which is the family.
In this context, I exhorted them to re-present the Sacrament of
Marriage as a gift and an indissoluble commitment between a man and
a woman, the natural environment in which to welcome and educate
children.
"The Church and the family, as well
as schools", the Pope added, "must co-operate in offering young
people a solid moral education. ... Reflecting upon the painful
question of sexual abuse of minors by ordained ministers, I told the
bishops of my closeness, and encouraged them in the task of binding
wounds and strengthening their relationships with their priests".
During the Eucharistic celebration
held in the Nationals Stadium in Washington, said Pope Benedict, "we
evoked the Holy Spirit" upon the Church in America that she "may
face current and future challenges with courage and hope". And when
meeting with representatives of other religions "in what may be
considered as the homeland of religious freedom, I recalled how such
freedom must be defended with congruous efforts to avoid all forms
of discrimination and prejudice. I also highlighted the great
responsibility religious leaders have, both in teaching respect and
non-violence and in upholding the deepest questions of the human
conscience".
On the subject of his visit to U.N.
headquarters in New York, the Pope pointed out that "providence gave
me the opportunity to confirm" - on the 60th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - "the importance of that
Charter, recalling its universal foundation, in other words the
dignity of the person who was created by God in His image and
likeness in order to co-operate in ... His great plan of life and
peace".
In St. Patrick's Cathedral the Pope
had celebrated Mass for priests and consecrated people. "I will
never forget", he said, "with how much warmth they congratulated me
for the third anniversary of my election to the See of Peter. It was
a moving moment, in which I particularly felt the support of all the
Church for my ministry. And I could say the same about my meeting
with young people and seminarians".
At Ground Zero "I lit a candle and
prayed for all the victims of the terrible tragedy" of 11 September
2001, said the Pope. And he concluded his reminiscences of his U.S.
visit with the Eucharistic celebration in New York's Yankee Stadium
which he described as "a feast of faith and of brotherhood. ... To
that Church which now faces the challenges of the present time, I
had the joy of announcing "Christ our Hope', yesterday, today and
forever".
AG/APOSTOLIC TRIP U.S.A./... VIS 080430 (800) |
